I’ve been asked a lot over the last week to comment on Invisible Children’s KONY 2012 video and social media campaign (above). I don’t want to. I don’t think my voice adds anything to the conversation; there are much more interesting, informed and better-expressed analyses elsewhere. Read the rest of this entry »
Sorry for the delay on the last few days of FotoFeb; a boat’s anchor knocked out good internet for East Africa, so we’ve been pretty disconnected out here. But now it’s somewhat back, so I can finish out.
The delay did give me enough time to go on a little adventure this weekend: more bungee jumping! I went for my first jump back in October following our staff retreat and had an amazing time. This go-round, I brought my coworker Gerry and her new husband (along with some other friends) as a belated wedding present. They were both intensely nervous, but I’m super proud that everyone who wanted to jump went through with it.
It was a weird weekend. Slightly sick. Slightly homesick. Feeling pensive about pretty much everything. Plus, the internet was out, so I had to, like, read a book. At least I got to do it over spiced African tea and crazy-fresh guac at Haven.
It’s weird to me that I still get homesick here every few months, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. As awesome as people here are and as exciting our adventures, I still get waves of longing for the friends and family from home who know me really well, who get my brand of humor and can tell instantly where I’m coming from. That stuff you can’t build in a few months.
Also, I’ve been feeling weird about the fact that there are probably HUNDREDS OF WORMS LIVING INSIDE ME. Someone pointed this out recently, that of course living in a foreign place you pick up odd bugs and should deworm regularly. Why had I never thought of that? What the heck is living in my intestines??
I bought deworming pills immediately.
(This photo does absolutely nothing to explain Kabalagala to you, but it’s the only picture I could take within respect and reason.)
Last night, I joined a big group of friends in Kabalagala, the borough of Kampala that supposedly never sleeps. As part a new series of “random acts of epic-ness,” these friends were hosting a 24-hour vigil there – just to verify if this neighborhood ever takes a break. (I only lasted from dinner time to one, so I can neither confirm or deny.)
Truth be told, there’s so much along the one major street that I wish I could have photographed for you, but couldn’t due to respect and safety. Kabalagala is full of the young and aspirationally trendy – college girls in far too short skirts avoiding young men with knock off Prada and Dolce&Gabbana logos across their chests. In that way, it’s like any city in the world at any moment.
Along the road, tired vendors rotate whole chickens under the glow of a single lightbulb to attract the peckish passersby. Hole in the wall bars pump American and local dance tracks louder and louder until each overblows its neighbor. Twinkle lights cluster amidst the few trees and balconies along the street. It’s incredible for people-watching and for getting the feel of a very specific slice of Kampala, but you’d never want to stand still for very long.
At the same time, Kabalagala seems to be one of most unsafe neighborhoods I’ve visited. Prostitutes are notoriously pushy. Muggings are frequent. I was always paranoid about my wallet/camera/phone and checked them compulsively. Thankfully, the doormen at the restaurants and bars were thorough and responsible, so I felt fairly safe.
All in all, my night out in Kabalagala – probably only my second there ever – was a ton of fun. I think my nerves will prohibit me from attending on the regular, but every once in a while it’s fun to chase the promise of a sleepless city. Maybe next time I’ll last a little longer.
You have no idea how happy I was to see this little guy on my apartment walls:
Our house was brand new when we moved in, ergo no bugs or anything had discovered it yet. Over the first few months, they slowly started encroaching: a spider here, a trail of ants, a few cockroaches there. Little by little becomes a lot. But while most houses here have a few resident lizard friends to tame the insect population, we had none. And I couldn’t wait for the day we’d get one.
I know it’s weird, but it’s a thing.
Finally, over the last week, I’ve been thrilled (legitimately more than I should be) to see this little dude checking out the place. He’s about two inches long and crazy fast. And I love him. I hope he grows big, brings all his friends, and takes care of all the mosquitos and spiders I’ve been slapping for the last few months.
I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.
